Seroprevalence and risk factors for infection with equine coronavirus in healthy horses in the USA.
Authors: Kooijman L J, James K, Mapes S M, Theelen M J P, Pusterla N
Journal: Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Coronavirus Seroprevalence in US Adult Horses Equine coronavirus (ECoV) has traditionally been viewed as a foal pathogen, yet emerging evidence now demonstrates its capacity to infect adult populations, necessitating a clearer understanding of its epidemiological patterns across diverse equine demographics. Kooijman and colleagues screened 5,247 clinically healthy adult horses across the USA using a validated IgG ELISA to determine seroprevalence and identify demographic and management risk factors associated with infection exposure. The study identified seropositivity in 504 horses (9.6%), with statistically significant clustering by geographic region (particularly the Mid-West), breed type (draft horses showed elevated prevalence), and use category (ranch/farm-based and breeding operations carried greater risk). These findings suggest that ECoV circulates more widely in North American adult populations than previously recognised, with contact patterns inherent to certain management systems and breeding operations facilitating transmission. For practitioners, these results underscore the importance of including ECoV in differential diagnoses for respiratory or gastrointestinal disease in adult horses, particularly those from high-risk regions and operations, and highlight the need for targeted biosecurity protocols in draft and breeding facilities where seroprevalence appears concentrated.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Nearly 1 in 10 healthy horses carry ECoV antibodies, indicating widespread exposure; consider this in differential diagnosis for enteric disease in adult horses
- •Draft horses and horses in the Mid-West region have higher infection rates—targeted screening may be warranted in these populations
- •Management practices associated with ranch/farm and breeding operations may facilitate ECoV transmission; implement biosecurity measures accordingly
Key Findings
- •9.6% (504/5247) of healthy adult horses in the USA tested seropositive for equine coronavirus
- •Mid-West geographic region showed statistically significant increased risk (P = 0.008)
- •Draft horses had significantly higher seropositivity than other breeds (P = 0.003)
- •Ranch/farm use (P = 0.034) and breeding use (P = 0.016) were significant risk factors for ECoV seropositivity